why does my hotspot not run using my 4Glte phone?

why does my hotspot not run using my 4Glte phone? got hotspot 'on', got my laptop to connect to it, but nothing will load up in my laptop browser - no google, etc. using alcatel 4Glte GoFlip V phone... got 3 bars, but seems very slow (7Mbps) and everything times out - unable to load anything... even ftp will time out.

Accepted answers

SynthpopAddict

Regarding leaving the cable ISP and switching to a mobile hotspot, this depends on how well wireless service performs in general in your area and how much data you use. The advantage of using a wired ISP such as cable or fiber is you have consistent, fast data speeds, but things need to be connected via cords for the best experience. Being on a wireless internet service means you don't have to have cords everywhere on everything, but leaves you prone to speed fluctuations, because it all depends on how much traffic is on the cell phone towers and traffic varies for all sorts of reasons. Plus, if the towers don't have good 5G spectrum, it's just going to be slower.

I didn't look up the specs of your phone, but with it being marketed as 4G LTE, you will not get 5G service on that phone ever because the phone was not built for 5G. Any hotspot usage directly from that phone to other devices will be in 4G.

The best maps for checking 5G coverage are either through the FCC's broadband maps, or to use Verizon's coverage map as shown in their website. Crowd-sourced apps and websites may or may not be accurate.

Verizon_Support

Hello BlackstoneStarShip! There are different reasons why your hostpot could be running slow. Are you experiencing slow speeds on your phone as well, or just on the connected device? Have you tried restarting your phone and the connected device?

-Dee

All comments

SynthpopAddict

If your phone supports only 4G, you don't get very fast data speeds. 7Mbps download on your phone in 4G LTE is a touch slow, but within the range Verizon states in the website for expected data speeds in 4G LTE. When there is a wireless "hop" from the phone to something else, more speed is lost.

With Verizon making changes to the towers regularly to support network upgrades, I'd suggest getting a 5G capable phone and possibly upgrading your service plan, since you may also be experiencing deprioritization depending on what service plan you have.

BlackstoneStarShip

Looking at adding the Orbic Speed X 5G hotspot device to my plan - would this be a good way to kick my current Spectrum Internet 100 out the door and replace it with this for browsing with my laptop including streaming from the web?

Also, could I keep using my Alcatel GoFlipV 4Glte phone as well - but would need my phone's Verizon plan to includes hotspot service?

Would I then get 5G internet using it's wifi for my laptop or smartTV - I'm living about 50 miles outside of Knoxville, TN? - just checked whistleout's 5G map for Verizon - no 5G in Crossville... Nashville very well covered and Knoxville a little... guess I'll have to check back to see if 5G grows in Tennessee ;-}

BlackstoneStarShip

oops - spoke too soon... looks like I DO have Verizon 5G coverage:

SynthpopAddict

Verizon_Support

-Dee